AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15552, 6 September 1912, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

IM.IMMKIt-DKNXISION SKASOX.

11 Nobody s Daughter lit traded another largo audience to His Majesty's Theatre Inst night, mid tho charming comedydrama was received with the most cnlliusiotitic manifestations of approval by all pr c . sent. The play in full of the deepest heart interest, and makes a strong appeal to all sections of the community. An* Interpreted, by tho l'limmcr-Denniston Company, containing, as it does, so many well-known artists, the story receives full justice. Mifw Lizctto l'arkcs has a delightful part to portray in Ilononi .May, and has the fullest scope for' displaying her undoubted abilities, which she makes the most of. Mr Plimmer has rarely hecn seen to greater advantage than as Mr Frampton, a part that tils him as well as if it had twen specially written for him. Mr Titheradge, Mrs Brough, and Miss Bditrico Day aro. all fitted with congenial roles, whilst tho rest of tho east ii well filled. To-night_ will bo the last opportunity of seeing "Nobody's Daughter," as to-morrow evening the management will present for its farewell performance Oscar Wilde's great play, " A Woman of No Importance-," in which Mr Titheradge and Mrs Brought will be associated with their original parts of Lord Illingworth ami Mrs Arbuthnot respectively. The older generation of theatregoers will remember this plav. as one of the most brilliant of all this gifted author's works, and those who have never had tho privilege of witnessing it should take this opportunity of seeing what is looked uixm us a classic amongst all modern works. _ Mr Tithcr.idge's portrayal of _ the cynical, heathen man of the world is regarded as tho greatest of his many successes. Tho l»x plans aro at tho Dresden, and day sales may bo had at Jacobs's.

THE NEWBURY FESTIVALS. Tho second opportunity of hearing Mr Philip Newbury and the Duncdin Choral Society was largely taken ndrantago of lost evening, the Garrison Hall being about three fourths filled with an audience that could scarcely pronounce otherwise than most favourably on tJio wholo concert. Rossini's "Stabal .Mater" was first produced, tho soloists being .Miss Violet ftrascr, Miss Mary Baton, Mr Nowbury, and Mr J ago. There was not an item in tho oratorio that did not present some worthy features. _ Tlm> choral part, certainly not extensive in character, was givon with confidence and considerably moro uccuracy than is usually experienced, and iu Uio finale Iho choir met a difficult piece of imisio very skilfully, though perhaps its rendering did not reach the perfect stage. Mr Newbury's singing of ' Cujus nnimani," as might have boon expected, was excellent. Many. hero have hoard Mr Nowmiry sing the .celebrated tenor air before, and last evening ho .revived the previous marked success ho achieved on his former visit lo'Duhcdirr. His singing was also an important factor in the success attending the concerted numbers. Miss Frasor, who iook .the place of Madamo Emily Spado, proved quite capable of giving an adequate interpretation of the leading soprano part in the oratorio, and sang the '' Inflammafiis'' decidedly well—in fact all through Miss Eraser's singing reached a high level. Miss Baton was somewhat overweighted in the cavatina. that fnlls to the second soprano, and it was hero that tho orchestra gave the only real,opening for complaint. • It--was just inclined to boa trifle aggressive, especially when accompanying a vocalist whose ,>oicc is not too robust. In every other respect the orchestral accompani. incuts were admirable. Tho valtto of Miss Baton's singing was, however, felt in much of the concerted music, and her solo work was not without its redeeming features. Mr Jago had recovered something of his wonted form and sang " Pro. poccatis'' with very good effect, bes'des lending valuable sorvico in the part, music, The miscellaneous portion of tho programme proved most enjoyable. It .was a genuino .pleasure to licar Mr Newbury sing " AVher'cr you _ walk," from " Semelc." A more expressive rendering, or greater' delicacy of treatment one could not hope to meet with. _ The air was oxqiiis'tely sung, and the nudienco was not insensible of the fact as the clamorous encore proved. Mr Ncwburv responded by singing " Annie Laurie," in which ho did not by any means obtain tho some degree of success. " Sound the alarm," from " .Itidas Maccabnuis,'.' is well known to bo a fovero tost for any tenor, and Mr Newbury sang it with magnificent effect,' and was recalled again and again, the audience going tho length of cheering the singer for his splcndid effort. Miss Helen Gard'ner contributed "Down in the' forest," with some success, but was much better in "Love is meant to make us glad."- wh'ch she rendered charmingly, and the "Poi Song" had to ho given in response to the npplauso it evoked. The duet " Watchman, what of the night." sung by Messrs Nowbury and _ Jago, nii'f. with an equally flattering reception, but did not possess the same merit as much of the solo work. The Choral Society Rave the chorus "The Heavens aro telling." from the Creation, most oommomlably. _ Mr Jas. Coombs conducted during the evening. FULLERS' PICTURES. Admiration, interest, and amusement were the three sensations that pervaded in no small degree the audience that assembled in the Princess Theatre last evening to witness tho initial presentation of a new series of pictures. All the new films are characterised by a refreshing air of originality, ami, while several are of more ilian ordinary merit, nono fall below tlie average standard of quality. _ One ol the most striking of tho dramatic studies was tJiat unfolded under tho titlo of "A Spring Round-up." A mortgage on a property falls due. and in order lo fulfil l»'is obligation the owner despatches his son to the city market with a large herd of cattle. The voting man disposes of tho cattle, but straightway falls into tho bonds of a party of eard-sharpers, to whom he speedily loses the greater part of the money. However, the daughter of one of the players, an liabituo of the gambling den, to whom tho voting man has shown somo kindness, informs him that her fathor has cheated him, and play is resumed. Tho sharper's methods'aro then detected, and. at tho point of a revolver, he is compelled to disgorge his previous winnings. During these proceedings an 'attachment has sprung up between the. two young people, bill wlien the young man asks the gambler's daughter lo sliaro his lot tho spell of the old life proves strong for her. and she Is unable to give it up. "The Signal Code" is a Thunliotisor production, and is nil extremely clevcrly-construdcd film. By means of ilic most bewitching wiles, such as only a fascinating woinan can exorcise, a hilly' of rank, who is a spy in the sorvico of a "hostile Power, obtains possession of the code book of tho United Slates Navy from a young lieutenant. With all possible haste she proceeds to transfer it to a confederate, but this design is neatly intercepted by a common sailor, who followed the lndy and, when opportunity offered, substituted a hrick for the code book, returning the latter to the unfortunate officer. "Missionaries in Darkest Africa" is a tale of heroic solf-sacrifico and martyrdom, and is enacted amidst realistic surroundings in the dark continent itself. Tlio story is a decidedly convincing one, and is tinged with a marked leiivening of pathos. .Some fine views of Madrid, with its wealth of massive masonry, form the subject of an interesting scenic film, which concludes with a picturesque rural scene on tho batiks of tho Guadalquivir. " A on Dad " is a most diverting elaboration of tfio theme of Mho tables turned, and was responsible for almost unconlrollab'.o mcrri-

incut. "Bossio'6 Dream" was also a pretty and quaint comedy-drama depicting n lovers' quarrel and the subsequent inevitnble reconciliation. Mr Marlinelli's orchestra supplied an attractive and appropriate programme of music. HAYWARD'S PICTURES. The excellent and varied programme current at Burns Hall attracted a very largo audience last night, ami received warm approval. This was especially noticeable at the conclusion of the excellent dramatic subject, " Red Falcon," which '» beautifully coloured. The films are evidently all new", and the cinematographic- results are the l>est. The same programme will be projected to-night. KING'S THKATKK. Thcro was. a capital utUaidaiico at Iho King's Theatre last evening, when the current programme of the Rrcnnan-Fuller vaudeville combination was repeated. Tho \ocalists were decidedly successful lastovcning, each item boing received with marked favour. The lircunaiis scored another suecms with their clever clog-dancing and comedv infused by Phi! and Phbra into thoir acrobatic display met with the cntiro appreciation of the audience. 'Die eoncliiJin;? farce provided highly mirth-provoking, and round**! off a very enjoyable cntcrtainn;enl, which will bo repeated this eveninj. QUKBN'S THEATRE. Tiie now programme at tho Queen's Theatre vestorday alt'ractod a very largo awlicr.ee. and this is not surprising when the ntir.litv of the various pictures axeened i.-. taken into account. Among the " star" lilms was a beautiful'scenic. "Glimpses of I'isa," containing, amonp other nolablo objects, a splendid viow of the famous leanme tower and some extjutßito scenery. " Tbch-Coition Anniversary, V a Vita drama. 885 ft in length, w a fir.o production, in whioh Maurice Cwtclta takes the loading of Australasia (Ltd.), -Wellington.'

role. Aii old farmer objeds to his only son wasting his time with amateur photofirapliy when Uio farm requires his attention. After a family "scene," tho son leaves Jiomc. l-'ivo years later the father and mother decide to celebrate ihoir golden anniversary by having their photographs taken. They enter n, . well-to-do photographer's, and after they have been snapped they discover tho proprietor is their son, lh» result boing, of course, a happy i-c----union. "Tho Cattlo King's Daughter" ij n. thrilling drama. May Barclay, when roturning from tho East, is mot at tho station >y her father, a cattlo kfnp. On passing Ihe saloon two members of Buck Brady's KOng soo May. and delormino to steal her. ■i no ruffians decoy old Barclay from tho ranch, then gain entrance to tho ranchhmiso, find May, force her to sign a noto saying tint slio is held f w mmn> lino >. conduct her to their rcml w - o us. Lravinff her. tl,ey depart. May suddenly hears faint cries coming from an adjoining room, and on entering finds Buck liradv toeing in a delirium on a bunk. She discovers ho ii wounded, secures some water, relieves hi! pain, and restores him to comciou.iiKHS. AniMOi! at seeing tho girl, Ruck Brady <i"estions hex, and learns of her abduction what she had done for him, Brady asks to bo allowed to escort her homo Meanwhile, Barclay and tiro sheriff wo searching the bills for her. Out of tlio trail May suddenly wpios her father down in a ravino and runs lo him, leaving Brady realising that he ha? done ono good action'in his lifetime. "Lovo Mo. Lore My Dog," is a very fino comic, ami the "TontoniaTroiip of Acrobats " and "Tho Spahi's Love" leavo nothing to ho desired. Tho management ii to be congratulated on tho oxeellrmco of the scries, which will bo shown again today and to-night.

BRYDONE SKATING RINK. The Brydonc Skating Uink was again well patronised yesterday, and exports and would-be exports were to bo seen in number* practising graceful fancy evolutions lo their hearts' content. To-night is a ladies' invitation night, and ladies will be ndmittedi 'free by tickets which may bo obtained on application at the rink. A rehearsal of tho four-in-hand teams' parade for tho blaek-and-whilo carnival to ha held on tho 13tli inst also takes place this evening, and it has IJicrcforo boon decided to extend tho programme till 10.30 p.m.

TIIE PEOTTLLI TROUPE. \ Tlio Ptohilli Iroupc, a quintet of Itfho and dexterous Cliiiicso acrobats, clad in the. silken garments, of their nativo land, will make their appearance at the King's Theatre on Monday evening. _ Their versatile and sensational turn; it is said, opera with ono of tho troupe lighting paper cutlings and placing tJiem into his ntotiih, from which firo and smoko issno at intervals. Long paper spirals arc then emitted from his - mouth, followed by yards.-and yards of blue ribbons, from which, when piled upon Uio stage, n fievcn-lior lighted Chinese.lantern is produced. Another mem-' her tosses a six-fool, trident, making it roll round his body in easy graceful movements. Stoino difficult, contortionist work by tlio youngest member of the troupe is followed by two celestials banging by their pigtails ami acrobaliiur whilst they swing ncros tlio stage. The audience is said toliold its brrath during somo dangerous-looking knifethrowinjr. Ono knifo glances aJontr tlio boy's throat, pinning him to tho board. A lion's leap throu;rh a square of wood, with knives inserted, is followed by conjuring ond-clcver Iwlancing and spinninrr of plates on banilioo reexk The big sensation comes last, when ono of tho Chinemen makes n flight, suspended by bis hair, on a wiro from tho wall at the back of the gallery to tho staso, waving a Union Jack and a Chinese Republican flag, Tho Fcchilli troiipo is described ae> ono of tho finest of tho many line turns lately imported by tho Brcnnari. Fuller n'anagoment. Tbcir season in Duncdin will bo limited to six nights.